This week in the crypt we take a look at the new Shudder Original Shook from writer and director Jennifer Harrington.
Shook will be available on February 18th on Shudder US, Canada, UK, and ANZ!
Clocking in at just under 90 minutes, Shook follows Mia (Daisye Tutor), a social media influencer as she is tormented into playing in games and making choices to save those she cares about.
As the film starts viewers see Mia living the life of an influencer. We cut to a murder that leaves Mia “shook” as she opts to dogsit for her sister, Nicole (Emily Goss) instead of participate in a live event with her friends.
As this psychological horror continues we see Mia watching the event as Jade (Stephanie Simbari), Santi (Octavius J. Johnson), and Lani (Nicola Posener) continue without her.
From there things go from odd to batshit crazy as Mia second guesses her friends and receives a friend request from Kellan (Grant Rosenmeyer).
Is all of this real, fake, a dream? You’ll have to check it out to see…
What works for me is Harrington’s story and direction. You don’t have the muffled phone voice when there are calls. Also showing video/friends/caller in the same room as Mia gives it a feel that while you’re seeing this from her view you’re not seeing it through a phone or laptop.
The run time fit well for this, while some people may argue 10-15 minutes could be cut out, I felt it flowed well within the time, well acted, and some good kills.
Where it fell short was the soundtrack by Symmetry. It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just not my thing. The track during the end credits by Off With Their Heads is more my speed.
“And remember, if you feel a chill, that’s not the cold…you’re in the crypt!”
Adam Holtzapfel is the face behind Reviews From The Crypt and Interviews From The Crypt. Growing up in the 80s on a steady diet of VHS horror, he has maintained a love of the genre since. Loving almost everything from the good, the bad, and the weird he now searches the deepest realm of the Roku to press play on any film he hasn’t watched a million times.